Gary Lenhart

The following are notes about Gary's life from both his brother, Fred, and then, also, from his wife, Carolyn (Perovich) Lenhart.

GARY ROBERT LENHART was born on June 17th, 1952 to JD Lenhart and Shirley (Horton) Lenhart in Covina, California. He was my older brother or just "Brother" to me. We grew up together in the high desert of Apple Valley, California with our Mom (Shirley) then married to her second husband, Bob. Gary however was not happy in this home, thus on a cold winter day, (Thursday, January 27th) in 1966 he decided to run-away. His trip was that of Greyhound from Victorville, California to El Monte, California, home to "our father" JD. He lived on Tyler Blvd, with his second wife, Marie, who Gary considered his mom. JD and our Mom agreed to allow Gary to move away; leaving me the only child of the high desert home. Oh, do not get me wrong, I loved it; being the younger brother, Gary would always play pranks, and otherwise jokes upon me, like having me sit in a cactus, and filling my pants with red ants. His best friends were Bruce and Berry Bryant. Gary went to Mariana School in Apple Valley until he moved away. Gary always considered himself a REBEL; he loved his Confederate flag, hanging it proudly with the American Flag. John Wayne was his favorite actor; I remember being taken to see True Grit at the Starlite Drive-In Theater with our real father, JD in 1969.

A very terrifying memory that I remember to this day was in 1963, where Gary was sawing wood with an electric skill-saw without the protective guard. In doing so, the saw slipped, and hit his upper leg, cutting about 1/3 into the bone. Our family friends, the Bryants, rushed Gary to Saint Mary's Hospital, I stayed in the car for hours... and hours, waiting.

Gary loved fishing, his model trains, and messing (always) under the hood of an auto; some called him a Backyard Mechanic. He graduated from High School I believe in 1970; I remember going to this event, yet, not the exact date. Gary leaves behind relatives: Pamela Lenhart, Paula Lenhart, Fred Wolfstar-Lenhart, Terrisue Lenhart, Richard, Charles, and Michual Lenhart, and many others that I never knew on his side of the family tree. I hold memories of his gentleness and kindness, and that which he had called me for years "You will always be known to me, brother, as Bozo" (light laugh).

Gary was adventurous, he lived in El Monte, CA, Rosemead, CA, Bishop, CA, Susanville, CA, Janesville, CA, Crescent City, CA, Rapid City, SD, and Pipestone, MN, and perhaps many others that I do not know.

Lastly, Fred found the following on a message board Posted: June 12, 2001, and was later edited: August 2, 2001. Written by Carolyn Lenhart:
"Hi there, I am the wife of Gary Lenhart who is the firstborn son of J.D. Lenhart and Shirley Horton-Yuede. Gary’s brother is Fred Lenhart. Gary is 49, while Fred is a little younger. J.D. Lenhart is one of the sons of Robert H. Lenhart - the very same one you need info (and I do, too) on. I am Cherokee Indian, and Gary is about 1/4 Cherokee as well, and that makes His Pa at about 1/3 or more. His Grandpa Lenhart (Robert H) is at least 1/2 to 3/4 Cherokee. Grandma Lenhart was ALL German!! She would have Grandpa read the German Bible to her!! Grandpa was Proud of his Native blood and taught Gary many traditions. We are looking into Written Proof of this Native Heritage, as well as learning more about Gary's Family.”


You will be missed, my brother.